How to fix an Eheim 2028 is expelling bubbles?

[Rupert]

My eheim 2028 canister filter is expelling a mist of small bubbles from the outlet into the tank. I am quite certain that this is related somehow to the priming device as I can make it worse this way. My assumption is that air is entering the canister this way.

I am not sure where to start, other than taking it apart and seeing if there is anything obvious, not that I would know what obvious at this point in time.

Has anyone experienced this or has any recommendations on how to fix?

Thanks

[geoffrey]

Yes Rupert, air has got into your canister. Chances are you siphoned too much until water level went below the inlet or perhaps from your skimmer. Do check also for other possible air intake at the canister.

Waiting for the filter to expel all the air caught in some cavities will take some time and that will do harm to the pump too. Have you tried re-priming? If that doesn't work, you may have to expel the air by opening it up, drain away some water and re-prime again to refill.

[vinz]

If you are mechanically inclined and can visualise the layout of the impeller cavity, try tilting the filter so that whatever bubbles are trapped get expelled. Don't tilt the filter permanently... just manually tilt it for resutls and then place it upright again.

Another possibility... the older 22XX series has a seal problem. The filters don't leak outright, but will take in air through the seal between the powerhead and the main media compartment. I don't know if they solved it in the 20XX series, as I've never used those. The 22XX series come with a small tube of vaseline for use on that seal. Whenever my 22XX filter gets air logged (once in many months), I only have to reapply the vaseline and the problem is solved. I've tried just re-opening and closing the filter and it still gets the same problem... once vaseline is applied, problem solved.

If there is a leak in that area, it is entirely possible that by pressing the primer it will suck air in thru the seal then suck more water from the tank as the former probably proves the least resistant.

[Rupert]

Thanks Geoffrey and Vinz,

When I get home tonight, I will start with looking at the skimmer, then try tilting the canister [briefly] to see if that has an impact.

If that doesn’t work then I will add some vaseline on the main media compartment seal.

I will let you know how it goes.

[mordrake]

Thanks Geoffrey and Vinz,

When I get home tonight, I will start with looking at the skimmer, then try tilting the canister [briefly] to see if that has an impact.

If that doesn’t work then I will add some vaseline on the main media compartment seal.

I will let you know how it goes.

most probably due to the surface skimmer. had this problem before due too air getting sucked into the skimmer. adjusted it and no more worries.

[Rupert]

Thanks Geofery, Vinz & Melvin,

Removed the skimmer this afternoon, not the problem.

Opened up the canister and added some of the supplied Vaseline around the seal between the powerhead and the main media compartment. I didn't add too much as was not sure of it interacts with the water, but improvement noticed.

Did notice that the rubbers in the media trays were ultra stiff, there was a new screw in the powerhead part of the filter… bought the filter second hand in the weekend and now probably paying the real price.

[fleekk]

Thanks Geofery, Vinz & Melvin,

Removed the skimmer this afternoon, not the problem.

Opened up the canister and added some of the supplied Vaseline around the seal between the powerhead and the main media compartment. I didn't add too much as was not sure of it interacts with the water, but improvement noticed.

Did notice that the rubbers in the media trays were ultra stiff, there was a new screw in the powerhead part of the filter… bought the filter second hand in the weekend and now probably paying the real price.

Try to leave it running without skimmer for a day or two. It should be fine after all the air has escape.

[Rupert]

Good News the bubbles have finally stopped!

Thanks all for the advice. I don’t think it was the skimmer, but adjusted it so that it was less likely to suck air. Tilted the canister and applied Vaseline around the seal, which I think was leaking.